When is Songkran 2027
Songkran 2027 runs 13-15 April, Thailand’s officially designated New Year holiday period. Unlike most festivals on Festivals.one, this date doesn’t require annual recalculation — while Songkran originated from a traditional solar calendar calculation marking the sun’s move into Aries, Thailand fixed the public holiday to these three Gregorian dates in the 20th century, so they no longer shift.
History
Songkran’s name derives from the Sanskrit word for “astrological passage,” referring to the sun’s movement into the Aries zodiac sign, which traditionally marked the Thai solar new year. The water-pouring ritual has older roots in a purification practice: water was traditionally poured gently over Buddha images and the hands of elders and monks as a sign of respect and to wash away the previous year’s misfortune. The playful, large-scale water fights now associated with Songkran, especially in tourist areas, are a more recent evolution of that original gesture.
How it’s celebrated
The religious core of Songkran involves visiting temples, offering food to monks, and pouring scented water over Buddha statues. A related tradition, Rod Nam Dam Hua, involves younger family members pouring water over the hands of elders and asking for blessings — this remains a significant family ritual even in cities where the public water fights dominate visible celebrations.
In tourist centers like Chiang Mai, Bangkok’s Khao San Road, and Pattaya, Songkran has become a nationwide public water fight — streets fill with people armed with water guns, buckets, and hoses, and passersby of any age or status are considered fair game. Many businesses along main streets set up water stations specifically for the occasion.
Food and customs
Songkran doesn’t have a single defining dish in the way some festivals do, but it’s closely associated with Thai iced tea and cooling foods and drinks suited to April, one of Thailand’s hottest months — the timing of the water festival during peak heat season is itself part of its practical appeal.
Best places to experience it
- Chiang Mai — widely considered the most immersive citywide Songkran experience, with celebrations centered on the old city’s moat
- Khao San Road, Bangkok — the most tourist-heavy and intense water fight zone in the capital
- Silom Road, Bangkok — another major Bangkok water festival area, historically associated with the LGBTQ+ community’s Songkran celebrations
Frequently asked questions
Is Songkran only a water fight? No — the water fights are the most visible part for visitors, but the religious temple visits and the Rod Nam Dam Hua elder-blessing ritual remain the festival’s core for many Thai families.
Is it safe to bring electronics during Songkran in tourist areas? Waterproof bags or cases are strongly recommended in any area with active water fights — phones and cameras are frequently damaged.
Does Songkran happen the same way nationwide? The three official dates are national, but the intensity and style of celebration vary significantly by city, with Chiang Mai and Bangkok’s tourist districts being far more water-fight-focused than smaller towns.